John Mainer:
CLASS OF 1970
Dakota High SchoolClass of 1970
Winnipeg, MB
John's Story
I was one of the few transfers from Glenlawn Collegiate for grade 12 only in 1969 and do not remember much of the year as I missed several months during 1970 while sailing in the Pacific aboard a Canadian Navy Destroyer Escort. I was not allowed to graduate in June 1970 as I had missed exams but I had had the experience of a lifetime instead sailing on a Navy warship, exercising and training with the US Navy and of course visiting and having shore leave in several foreign ports. I passed the supp exams in Aug 1970 and went on to RRCC graduating in 73 as a Design/Drafting Technologist. I began working in the Engineering field on hydro electric projects, the Deacon Booster Pumping Station and the Strathcona Storm Relief Sewer System for the City of Winnipg with 2 different firms from 73-81. I then morphed into the Architectural field working on hundreds of building projects ranging from cottages to multi million dollar hospitals, schools, hotels and specialty projects throughout North America for 3 different Architectural firms. In 1992 I had another amazing life changing opportunity and went to the University of Winnipeg as the Assistant Director of Physical Plant and University Project Coordinator. I was at the UofW for 25 years in various management positions and used both my engineering and architectural experience continuously - and loving it. I worked for 44 years in Wpg and Calgary, retiring in June 2017. I married a Ft Rouge girl in 1976 after meeting her in the Navy in 72, where I remained until 89 as a Reserve CIL officer, followed by many years working with the Navy League of Canada in various capacities thus having 2 concurrent careers, while raising a family. I am still married to my gorgeous wife Pam - 45.5 years. We have twins (boy and girl) born in 1981, both of whom live in Wpg. No grandchildren yet so we are spoiling ourselves in retirement. I have a small part time consulting business while my wife continues as a substitute teacher. We love to travel and have been ...Expand for more
to many parts of the globe, some several times. We especially like cruising (no surprise really) and have cruised the Caribbean several times, the Panama Canal, Alaska and New England. For a long time I did not fully understand the draw of cruising after sailing with the Navy - where weeks on end were nothing but sea and sky, where I stood duty watches day and night and enjoyed the occasional shore leave in some far distant land. But in 2011, my wife convinced me to try one so we did a Panama Canal transit from Ft Lauderdale to San Diego. (LIGHT BULB)….I didn’t have to work, I didn’t have to stand duty watches at all hours, I did not have any responsibility for the ship or crew, no one gave me grief (except my wife occasionally), I could watch the deep blue glide past and be mesmerized once again by the sea life and flying fish in the waves, watch the wake drifting off to the horizon, we visited many lovely and exotic ports where I could come and go as I pleased, the food was extraordinary, I could have a drink (or 2) anytime I wanted and aside from not getting paid to be there, there was no comparison to navy shipboard life at all….needless to say I was hooked! Since 2011 we have enjoyed 13 cruises. There are many places left to visit and are anxious to see as much as possible while we can. We’ve met some amazing people on our travels and remain in contact with many.
Before Dakota, I’d attended Glenlawn, Norberry and St.George Schools where I had many friends, a very few of whom I am still friends with today. I’d like to have kept in touch with many others but I was not one of the ‘popular’ kids in school being very shy and small I was bullied a lot and therefore stayed clear of school a lot too. Seeing the names and pictures of kids I did like on this and other platforms has made me feel good and makes me wish I had kept in touch more. A whole lifetime has passed with so many long lost fiends and memories almost gone with it. I’m happy to re-unite with my friends from those years!
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Photos